It is high time for enjoying winter sports.
photo: Roman Millan
SLOVAK schoolchildren's spring vacation is usually the time of year the snow cover reaches its biggest depths in the mountains, but this year the snow's been melting in all ski resorts at altitudes below 1,300 metres. Nonetheless, ski centres are continuing to report good skiing conditions.
But, alas, the prediction is conditions will continue to worsen, even though considerable cold fronts have been forecast to hit the country. The popular free-style show Skočsi, which was planned for Donovaly on March 3, had to be cancelled due to a snow shortage. The thousands of disappointed fans can go instead to the Jasná ski centre below Chopok Mountain, where HOTROAD Let's go! will play music, hold a number of competitions and give people a taste of the hot drink Let's Go!
A similar event will take place in Vrátna - Bažanti na snehu (Pheasants on snow) on March 3. For sledge lovers, we recommend the sledge track from Hrebienok to Starý Smokovec, which is about 2.6 km long. Evening sledging takes place every Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 17:00 to 21:00. Skiers who love to sunbathe should go to Skalnaté Pleso in the High Tatras, where at 1,751 metres below Lomnický Štít peak, they can enjoy peace of mind lying in deckchairs with, for example, a glass of mulled wine in their hand. But remember to check snow conditions before setting out for a ski centre if you want to avoid unpleasant surprises.
For more information, go to www.ski.sk.
Ski resort - price of daily ski pass - snow depth on 22.2.2007
Jasná-Chopok
Sk790
75 cm***
Chopok-Juh
Sk350
80 - 195 cm***
Štrbské Pleso
Sk750
140 cm***
Donovaly
Sk750
40 cm***
Skalnaté Pleso
Sk690
350 cm****
Veľká Rača
Sk740
30 cm**
Vrátna
Sk680
50 cm***
Skipark Ružomberok
Sk690
25 cm**
Martinské hole
Sk630
90 cm***
Plejsy
Sk500
40 cm***
Conditions:*limited**good ***very good
